{"id":25367,"date":"2025-08-17T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-17T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.telescoop.nl\/?p=25367"},"modified":"2025-11-27T19:24:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T18:24:45","slug":"the-sun-through-a-telescope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.telescoop.nl\/en\/de-zon-door-een-telescoop\/","title":{"rendered":"The sun through a telescope - safe viewing and photography"},"content":{"rendered":"

Viewing the sun through a telescope is spectacular. You see not only a brightly burning disk, but also sunspots, fine structures and, with special equipment, huge fiery bursts. But there is one thing that always comes first: safety<\/strong>. Unprotected viewing of the sun through a telescope can cause permanent blindness. This article tells you how to look safely, what details you can see and how to photograph the sun as well, whether you use a smartphone or a dedicated astro-camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it dangerous to view the sun through a telescope?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, without proper protection it is extremely dangerous. A telescope concentrates sunlight just like a magnifying glass, increasing its intensity hundreds of times. One second of unprotected viewing can permanently damage the retina. Ordinary sunglasses or makeshift filters do not help: they block bright light, but not the harmful UV and infrared radiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That's why you always use a certified sunscreen<\/a><\/strong> which filters light even before the telescope opens. These filters reduce sunlight to safe levels and block harmful radiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you safely view the sun through a telescope?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The safest method is a full front filter<\/strong> that fits over the front of your telescope. Choose a model that meets the international safety standard ISO 12312-2<\/strong> (we only sell these). These filters let only a fraction of sunlight through and are designed specifically for optical instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popular examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n